Bangladesh Court Denies Bail to Former ISKCON Priest Chinmoy Krishna Das

 A Bangladesh court on Thursday denied bail to former ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on November 25, 2024. The bail hearing saw the participation of an 11-member legal team from the Supreme Court, marking a significant moment in the ongoing case.

Legal Recourse Ahead

Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu now plans to approach the High Court to seek bail, CNN-News18 has reported. Speaking to ANI, Radha Raman Das, Vice-President of ISKCON Kolkata, expressed his disappointment: “This is very sad news. The entire world was watching this case, and many hoped that Chinmoy Prabhu would gain his freedom in the new year. After 42 days, his bail was rejected today. The Bangladesh government must ensure justice is served.”

Sedition Charges and Legal Defense

Chinmoy Krishna Das faces sedition charges stemming from allegations of disrespecting Bangladesh’s national flag. The defense, led by advocate Apurba Kumar Bhattacharjee, has been actively pursuing his case. Bhattacharjee, a member of both the Supreme Court and Chattogram Bar Associations, highlighted his commitment: “We have come to Chattogram under the banner of Ainjibi Oikya Parishad and will continue to advocate for Chinmoy’s bail.”

The legal team’s efforts follow an earlier development on December 3, when a court in Chittagong postponed the bail hearing to January 2 due to a prosecution time petition and the absence of legal representation for Chinmoy Krishna Das.

ISKCON Kolkata’s Response

ISKCON Kolkata expressed hope for justice ahead of the January 2 hearing. Spokesperson Radharamn Das reiterated the organization’s commitment to supporting religious minorities in Bangladesh, stating: “To ensure justice, the legal system must function properly.” ISKCON also held prayers for Hindus and other religious minorities on January 1, continuing their month-long vigil.

Arrest and Broader Context

Chinmoy Krishna Das was arrested near Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport in Dhaka in connection with a sedition case filed in Chattogram. His detention comes amid rising concerns about the safety of minority Hindus in Bangladesh, who make up roughly 8% of the nation’s 170 million population. Following the fall of Sheikh Hasina’s Awami League government on August 5, there have been reports of hundreds of attacks targeting minorities across over 50 districts.

Das had previously called on Bangladesh’s interim government to take decisive action against fundamentalists inciting violence. He emphasized the need for such measures to restore confidence among the country’s minority communities.

The denial of bail has drawn widespread attention, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by religious minorities in Bangladesh. As Chinmoy Krishna Das prepares to appeal to the High Court, his case serves as a reminder of the critical need for a robust and impartial legal system to uphold justice and protect vulnerable communities.